Richard Furdock, 59, was incoherent and barely able to speak when he was discovered wandering around a Troy church. / Macomb County Sheriff

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Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

A military veteran suffering from mental illness was found safe Wednesday night at a Troy church, two days after he disappeared after being dropped off at the VA hospital in Detroit.

Richard Furdock, 59, was incoherent and barely able to speak when he was discovered wandering around the church by Troy police, Macomb County Sheriff’s Lt. John Michalke said. He said police believe Furdock walked from Detroit to Troy.

He said Furdock‘s relatives were notified and his brother picked him up in Troy and returned him to the group home in New Haven where he lives.

Furdock disappeared Monday morning after he was dropped off for an appointment at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center on John R. Hospital personnel told police Furdock’s appointment was canceled just before his visit but he did arrive at the hospital via third-party transportation used by the hospital.

By Monday afternoon, Furdock had not returned to the group home. The manager of the group home called the hospital, which confirmed Furdock arrived but was unaware if he was picked up to return to the group home, Michalke said.

Hospital security searched the campus for Furdock but could not find him.